On May 2, 3, and 5, Stone Brewing-Berlin turns again into the capital’s fifth opera house as it presents Puccini’s”Madama Butterfly.” Directed by Teresa Reiber, the opera will be showcased against the backdrop of the steel brewing kettles of the world-class destination restaurant Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Berlin. The work is set to star an international cast from {…}
The Atlanta Opera has announced its 2019-20 season. According to the press release, for its 40th anniversary season, The Atlanta Opera will present operas which fall under the overarching theme of “dangerous liaisons,” where the “protagonists share a propensity for self-destructive relationships that threaten to bring about their downfall.” Additionally, during this season four internationally acclaimed artists will return home to {…}
It takes years for an artist to reach his or her “peak.” Years of constant work, precision, and experience are some of the keys to finding yourself fulfilling the dreams that you initially set out to conquer. And in some cases, that might not be enough. Soprano Ermonela Jaho has been performing around the opera world for over 25 years {…}
Tosca. Mimí. Rodolfo and his bohemian friends. Musetta. Suor Angelica. Manon Lescaut. Gianni Schicchi. Turandot. Cio-Cio San. The list goes on and on when it comes to Puccini’s iconic characters. Each and everyone is crucial to the composer’s output and the way that he gives them each unique voices are a part of the reason for his transcendence. In honor {…}
Giacomo Puccini lived during the age of Verismo, but he couldn’t easily be pinned down to said opera genre. In fact, much like Verdi before him, he was far greater because he defies categorization. Puccini’s works strive for the same exoticism that we find in composers that preceded him and like Verdi’s forays into “Ancient Egypt” or Rossini’s into Algiers {…}
Puccini is undeniably one of those names that will forever be linked with opera. Born on Dec. 22, 1858 (his full name was Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini) in Lucca, Italy, he was set to occupy the position of maestro di cappella after his father’s death. However, he was only six-years-old and unable to occupy the position his {…}
POP, the acronym for Los Angeles’ youthful Pacific Opera Project has a number of meanings. It can stand for Pop-up Theater (Pacific Opera Project’s productions can take place in a variety of venues and even at short notice). It can also mean “popular” (POP makes opera accessible for audiences whose principle interest might simply be an affordable night out). Over {…}
Jorge de León will jump into a production of “Madama Butterfly” at the Wiener Staatsoper on Dec. 3, 2018 The tenor will step in for Andrea Carè, who is ill. De León recently concluded a production of “Manon Lescaut’ at the Staatsoper Hamburg and will perform the role of Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly” at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in {…}
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will be live streamed from the Vienna State Opera on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, as part of the company’s ongoing streaming service. Ana María Martínez brings her famed interpretation to Vienna alongside tenor Andrea Carè and baritone Gabriel Bermúdez. Conductor Jader Bignamini leads the musical direction in the production by Josef Gielen. This is the final performance {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Queen’s {…}
This week’s major releases are as varied as they get. On one hand you have a famed interpreter of a renowned classic finally getting a home video release. There is also a recent world premiere getting its first commercial release. To top it all off, an iconic artist records his first album in half a decade. Let’s take a look. {…}
